Mehan now took a hand and skipped the ball toward the Yale end; and Gates, getting in ahead of Starbright and Merriwell, shot it for the Yale goal.
Big Bruce Browning was there, however, with legs and stick ready for duty, and he blocked the play, driving the ball to one side.
Gates, who was a fast skater, got behind it with his stick and again sent it toward Bruce. It missed the goal, however, going behind it; and a struggle for its possession ensued between Crowder and Starbright, Crowder roughly trying to shoulder Dick out of the way; but in the attempt he was hurled against the planking, and the ball, dragged by Starbright’s stick away from the wall and from behind the goal, was caromed by him to Ready, who ran with it down the floor and shot it toward the New London end of the surface.
Here another fight ensued for its possession, the ball being batted and banged about, stopped by clubs and feet and sticks, until it was flirted out of the mêlée by Bart Hodge and again flew toward the New London goal.
Bascom was in place. He kicked it out of the way, and, lunging for another kick, uncovered the ball, and Merriwell shot the ball into the cage.
The first goal of the play had been made.
The teams now changed goals; and, while this was being done and they were getting in readiness for the next play, Dashleigh’s mandolin club began to “discourse sweet music,” which was drowned, however by the yells of the Yale men, led by Bill Higgins.
The yelling and the music ceased as the referee advanced again toward the middle of the floor with the ball. The contesting teams crouched in readiness while he put the ball on the spot. Then, before walking aside, the referee made his announcement:
“First goal, Yale; made by Merriwell. Time, two minutes and twenty seconds.”
He put the whistle to his lips, having walked aside while concluding the announcement, and Crowder started. The referee waved him back; then sounded his whistle, and the rushers darted out.